It was about a year and a half ago that we told you about Schuylkill Yards, a massive development endeavor from Drexel and Brandywine Realty Trust on the blocks surrounding 30th Street Station. How could you forget, it's the post where we introduced the Dutch concept of “woonerf,” which is a space where pedestrians, bicycles, and slow moving vehicles all function together successfully. A woonerf is envisioned for the 3000 block of JFK Blvd., currently known as the block [...]

Drexel University and developer last year Brandywine Realty Trust unveiled their plans for “Schuylkill Yards,” a $3.5 billion development project, which includes development of 14 acres of parking lots and concrete space west of 30th Street into eight high rises, green public spaces and retail. On Wednesday, this ambitious project, which will take from 15 to 20 years to complete, broke ground.

The first phase of the master plan will include construction of Drexel Square, a 1.3 acre a public park on the corner of 30th and Market called Drexel Square, and mixed-use development along JFK Boulevard. Continue Reading

A two-tower project by PMC Property Group proposed for one of the last-remaining developable sites along the Schuylkill River was one of the two projects that concluded their Civic Design Review process. However, this was the project’s second time presenting to the committee, and so the process would have concluded anyway, regardless of the outcome.

At last month’s initial presentation, the Civic Design Review committee called the design proposal a “bitter pill to swallow,” critiquing the project’s lack of integration with surrounding neighborhood and Schuylkill River Trail. At the same time, they praised Gensler’s designs. In total, the committee had 18 recommendations and concerns about the project, including the above-ground podium parking.